Join the Conversation

Local races develop in MH, Cotter, Bull Shoals

SCOTT LILES, Baxter Bulletin
Published 11:50 a.m. CT Aug. 11, 2018

At least nine municipal races have developed across the Twin Lakes Area during the past two weeks. The deadline to file to run for a municipal office is noon on Friday.(Photo: adamkaz, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

At least nine municipal races — including four in Cotter and three in Bull Shoals — have developed across the Twin Lakes Area after two weeks of candidate filings.

Filings through Friday afternoon include mayoral races in Mountain Home and Bull Shoals.

In Mountain Home, mayoral candidates Hillrey Adams, David Almond and Nancy Osmon are all vying to succeed Mayor Joe Dillard, who in February announced that he would not be seeking re-election.

In Bull Shoals, Mayor David Nixon will face a challenge from James Rhodes in November.

Area municipal offices are nonpartisan races contested on the November general election ballot. To be considered for a municipal office like mayor or city council member, the hopeful candidate must file a petition with their county clerk’s office by noon on Friday.

In Baxter County, the mayoral positions in all eight cities will be contested this fall, with those elected taking office on Jan. 1, 2019 and serving four-year terms.

As of Friday afternoon, the only other contested race so far in Mountain Home is Bob “DJ Peace” Van Haaren challenging incumbent Carl Graves for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the City Council.

Mountain Home council members Jennifer Baker, Wayne Almond, Don Webb and Eva Frame have all filed to retain their respective seats on the City Council. James Whalen has filed to run for the Ward 1, Position 2 currently held by Rick Pierce and Jim Bodenhamer is seeking election to the Ward 4, Position 1 seat presently held by mayoral candidate David Almond.

The four contested city council races in Cotter include: Kerry White challenging incumbent Nathan Buck for the Ward 1, Position 2 seat; McGeorge “Mac” Caradine and Thurman Williams vying for the Ward 2, Position 1 seat presently held by Roland Morris; incumbent John Bell being challenged by Schuyler Brower for the Ward 2, Position 2 seat; and Wayne Alexander defending his Ward 3, Position 2 seat against Cameron E. Ross.

Contested city council races in Bull Shoals include: Richard Belt and Diana Lynn Nickels running for the Ward 2, Position 1 seat presently held by Marty Nickels; and Dino Giannini being challenged for his Ward 2, Position 2 seat by Bruce Powell.

Candidates for offices in Mountain Home must collect 30 valid signatures to be placed on the November ballot; petitions for offices in Big Flat, Briafcliff, Cotter, Gassville, Lakeview, Norfork and Salesville require 10 valid signatures.

To be considered valid, signatures must be those of active registered voters in the city where the candidate is seeking election. Once a candidate’s signatures are verified by the clerk’s office, the candidate must sign a political practices pledge and complete an affidavit of eligibility before they can be placed on the November ballot.

The 2018 general election will be held across the state on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Early voting for the election will begin on Monday, Oct. 22.

For additional information on filing a petition to be considered for a municipal office, contact your local county clerk’s office.